SEP 16, 2026 · COPPER EASES
Copper scrap benchmarks cool off after a choppy week
What happened. Copper scrap benchmarks moved lower in the latest North American index session. Clean copper grades — Bare Bright, #1 and #2 wire and tubing, #3 light copper — all lost ground, insulated wire grades edged down a touch, and brass slipped too. Aluminum, steel, and stainless held flat.
Related: electrical market trends, copper's record 2026 prices.
Related: the copper supply chain.
Why it matters. It’s been a whiplash week for copper scrap: a sharp drop one day, a small bounce the next, then lower again. That kind of chop is exactly when guessing wrong costs sellers money — the number on Monday isn’t the number on Thursday.
The honest footnote. Index direction is not a quote. Scrap benchmarks move daily on COMEX and LME swings, and what a buyer pays for your specific pile depends on the grade, the gauge, and how clean it is. The index tells you which way the wind is blowing — that’s it.
What it means for sellers. When the market is bouncing around, the smart move is to lock in today’s number instead of hoping for a better one tomorrow. Sitting on copper wire? Call or text Sonny at 312-880-8174 — send a photo and get today’s price.
Market direction per the ScrapMonster North American scrap price index, September 14, 2026 session (published September 15).
SEP 9, 2026 · RECORD HIGH
Copper hits all-time highs: COMEX $6.80/lb
What happened. Copper futures set records on both sides of the Atlantic in early September 2026. COMEX copper for September delivery settled at $6.8035 per pound on September 9 — a new record, up roughly 50% from a year earlier and up about 21% year to date. On the London Metal Exchange, three-month copper touched an intraday record near $14,779 per metric ton.
Why it moved. Three forces collided. First, mine supply tightened: global copper-mine output fell 1.1% in the first half of 2026, with sharp declines in Chile, Indonesia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Second, tariff fears: the U.S. imposed a 50% tariff on semi-finished copper products, and the Commerce Department is reviewing whether refined copper gets included — traders have been rushing copper into the U.S. ahead of a decision, draining inventories elsewhere. Third, demand: spending on power grids, AI data centers, and EVs keeps the long-term demand story intact.
The honest footnote. The refined copper market is actually in surplus — about 131,000 tons in the first half of 2026. This rally is about mine-side tightness and tariff distortion, not a physical shortage of refined metal. Record prices built on policy headlines can reverse on policy headlines.
What it means for sellers. If you hold copper wire, cable, or scrap, this is the market sellers wait years for: prices at levels nobody has ever seen. Selling into record strength means selling while the market is at its strongest — waiting for higher prices means betting the rally continues. Send photos for today’s price.
Market briefs are informational only, based on industry reporting at the time of writing. Markets move — these figures describe conditions when reported, not a promise of what your material will fetch. Every offer is based on your specific material, condition, and quantity.